Traffic-ELT / Migration

Overview

I designed and implemented a data engineering solution that not only processes traffic data but also enables seamless migration between database technologies. This dual-purpose system provides robust Extract, Load, Transform (ELT) capabilities alongside database migration functionality, allowing organizations to maintain data consistency while transitioning between PostgreSQL and MySQL environments.

Key Features

• Bidirectional Database Migration: Engineered automated workflows to synchronize data between PostgreSQL and MySQL databases with integrity verification
• Cross-Platform Analytics: Integrated both Redash and Apache Superset for flexible visualization options across different database backends
• Automated Data Ingestion: Efficiently processes raw traffic sensor data with custom parsing logic to handle semi-structured formats
• Modular Transformation Layer: Implements dbt models for creating specialized data views (vehicle types, speed thresholds) with built-in data quality tests
• Database-Agnostic Transformations: dbt models designed to work across different database engines with minimal adaptation
• Multi-Environment Orchestration: Leverages Apache Airflow for reliable scheduling and monitoring of both processing and migration workflows

Technical Implementation

• Database Migration Strategy: Implemented incremental and full migration patterns with checksum validation to ensure data integrity
• Containerized Architecture: Complete Docker-based deployment with separate services for PostgreSQL, MySQL, Airflow, dbt, Redash, and Apache Superset
• Schema Synchronization: Automated schema detection and creation across database platforms
• Parallel Processing: Optimized migration jobs for large datasets through parallel execution paths
• Configuration Management: Externalized database connection parameters and migration settings for flexible deployment
• Comprehensive Logging: Detailed audit trails of all migration activities for troubleshooting and compliance

Business Impact

This system solves critical challenges for transportation departments and traffic management organizations:

• Platform Flexibility: Freedom to choose the optimal database platform without losing historical data
• Technology Migration: Smooth transition path for organizations upgrading their data infrastructure
• Unified Analytics: Consistent reporting and dashboards regardless of the underlying database technology
• Reduced Vendor Lock-in: Ability to migrate between open-source and commercial database solutions as needs evolve
• Hybrid Deployments: Support for organizations maintaining multiple database platforms during transition periods

By providing a reliable migration path between database technologies, this solution gives organizations the flexibility to evolve their data architecture while preserving valuable traffic insights and historical analysis capabilities.